Soil to Skin – Whats this all about ?

If you haven’t met us at the markets nor seen our updates on facebook then you may be quite confused about what this all means.  Let me take the time to introduce you to our philosophy and what we are all about.

Over the last 11 years I have owned a skin clinic specialising in sensitive skin problems. My studies and experience have led me to research quite thoroughly the causes of problem skin and possible solutions.

Over the last few years I have been making custom skin care for clients. We make our skin care in small batches with fresh ingredients. This way we minimise the number of additives and fillers that are used and your skin receives fresh ingredients.

Just like food, we believe fresh is best for our skin cells. Our skin is a living organ and therefore deserves to receive only the freshest of ingredients.  As a dermal therapist with a technical background. I look at things a little more in-depth than your usual therapist. Together with my understanding of my own sensitive skin and using good old science, I have worked out how to stabilise sensitive skins and reduce redness.   ( start with Rose Cream and Facial Cleansing Whip – see our online store )

Having a sensitive system though I know that it doesnt just end with skin care.

Throughout my own trials and tribulations with food intolerances, and having experimented with many different diets, I have come to understand that to rebalance our skin and bodies its not just our diet that needs to change but how we are sourcing our food.

A fully plant based diet is the answer, but not all of it. We need to start asking questions about how it is grown. In my research I have seen with my own eyes, organic market gardens struggling with heavy metal toxins in their soil. Living in a rural area, I see large grassy areas sprayed out with pesticides only to be re sewn with crops that we eat. Dairy cattle are grazing on pasture that has been heavily grazed and the soil fertility very low. We consume all of this and I believe this is why we are seeing an increase in skin conditions, food intolerances and worse. Mother Earth is struggling and so are we.

On top of all this, our society and population is growing at an alarming speed. Its a fact that Auckland is no longer able to sustain itself.  Our  growers are having to cut corners, use pesticides and dont have time to re nourish the land. We arent putting back into the land what we are taking out and its getting imbalanced.

My personal solution to this is permaculture. Permaculture is not just spraying the land with sea weed or adding in organic material to make carbon ( although it is a large part of it ). Permaculture is holistic. Permaculture is scientific, its measurable and its sustainable.  By holistic here we mean that it encompasses our lives, how we live, what we eat as a result of how we live and how we can reduce our impact on our immediate environment.  It makes us accountable and offers solutions.

This is why I have shifted The Still Room from a suburban clinic in Papakura ( Auckland, NZ ) to the beautiful surroundings of Karangahake Gorge. The gorge is a constant reminder of what we need to get back to, it also allows us to grow on mass and sustainably. Through our experiments ( see our facebook page ) in measuring for soil fertility,  measureing nutrients in the plants and rebalancing our own soils at The Distillery,  we hope we can inspire you to also nourish your own back yard.  The rewards are not only to yourself and your families health but also will help the planet.

Karangahake is a beautiful space however its not perfect. We have years of erosion to repair and of course the mining stripped the area of all its flora and fauna. The soil has been desperately neglected and has been stripped of everything in the name of the mighty dollar. It wasnt until Mother Nature flooded the area twice that she was able to claim back her territory. This is another reason why I love this area. Mother Nature took charge and now us mere humans are learning how to work with her and treasure her as apart of our own lives.

So how do we rebuild and renourish our precious patch of land and aid in restoration?

 

This is what this blog is all about. Our soil to skin philosophy is simple. By repairing the nutrients in the soil we are then able to deliver products to your skin that have been grown in nutrient dense land and offer you skin care high in minerals and vitamins. We also show you how to grow your own nutrient dense veges and herbs at home so you too can restore your own patch of land back to how mother nature intended.

Check out our other blog entries in this category for more how to’s and why’s.  Also check out our facebook page ( see above ) for video entries as well

 

 

Namaste xx

Tina